First time voters have appealed to their generation to to go to the polls in numbers. 

The voting station at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, was relatively empty on Monday morning. 

Esona Radebe, 22, and Ndingoho Mufandilani, 18, said they are worried that some of their fellow students are apathetic about voting. 

"I have even heard from some of my classmates that they don't see the point in voting because it's still going to be the same and nothing will change but how do they determine if there will be change if no other party is given the chance?" said Mufandilani. 

Radebe said she hopes that young people focus on voting for people who are innovative and looking towards the future.

"It makes more sense to vote for people who are innovative because there are still issues we need to address like land reform... Nobody is speaking about libraries and the bridge between the city and townships. No one is talking about the inequalities we face in Braamfontein," she said. 

The duo said exercising their right to vote felt liberating. 

"When you actually vote, it feels like you're exercising your utmost right. To me it felt empowering honestly," said Radebe. 

Mufandilani said it felt like the right thing to do. 

"It felt like I was taking the step in the right direction," she said.